Chapter 3

Dad tried to explain patiently, saying, "You can just send me the medical records. I'm a doctor, so I can definitely take good care of you, Aaron."

Aaron bit his lip and remained silent. That reluctant, tight-lipped look made it seem as though all of us were forcing his hand.

Yvonne predictably shielded Aaron. "That's enough. Aaron is already feeling unwell. Do you guys seriously need to take turns grilling him?"

Emily was so enraged that she laughed out of pure frustration. "We're literally offering solutions here! He won't take the medication, he won't accompany Uncle Brandon to the hospital, and he won't get in the ride we called for him. What does he actually want from us?"

Aaron's posture stiffened for a moment. "Do you think I'm pretending to be sick, Emily? I'm just scared and want Yvonne with me. Is that really such an unreasonable request?"

Yvonne's expression hardened. "Aaron has already made himself clear. What more do you want from him?"

Emily was at a loss for words.

Dad gradually tightened his grip on the glass of water.

I glanced at the electronic display. It was already 11:08 am, and A027 was still flashing on the display. "You have 22 minutes left, Yvonne."

Yvonne rubbed her temples, sounding completely exhausted. "I know, but waiting one more day for a piece of paper doesn't change the fact that I'm marrying you, Charlie. Is our eight-year relationship really so fragile that it'll crumble over something like this?"

Aaron leaned weakly against Yvonne's shoulder as he tried to smooth things over. "Please don't be upset, Charlie. You're still the one Yvonne loves most. I'm just borrowing her for a moment."

I had heard that excuse plenty of times. Aaron had already stolen my time with Yvonne during my birthdays, our anniversaries, and the 26 times we tried to register our marriage. He was about to take the 27th one too.

I looked right at Yvonne and said, "I'm going to ask you one last time, Yvonne. Do you intend to go over to Counter 3 with me or stay with Aaron?"

Yvonne's expression turned cold. "Do you seriously have to make me pick a side while Aaron is sick, Charlie?"

I nodded and dropped the argument. "You can do as you please, but I'm signing those papers today, Yvonne."

It was 11:12 am when Mom returned from the parking lot with two boxes of wedding favors. She caught sight of Yvonne kneeling by the bench the moment she walked in, resting her hand on Aaron's back.

She slowed down the moment she noticed that I was standing all by myself at the counter with the folder. "Why haven't you registered the marriage yet?"

Emily bit back her temper and explained everything that happened.

Mom heard her out, ignored Aaron completely, and turned straight to Yvonne. "You have all the paperwork, and the counter is all yours. Is it really impossible for you to spend ten minutes signing the papers before taking Aaron to the hospital?"

Yvonne rose to her feet and said, "Aaron doesn't feel well right now, Diana. We can sign the papers anytime, but medical issues can't wait."

Mom stared at her for a moment before saying, "I didn't speak up when you called it off the first time. I even told Charlie to be more understanding when you cancelled on the tenth time. It's the 27th time today, Yvonne."

She spoke softly, but everyone around gradually fell silent. "What makes you think Charlie is still going to wait for you?"

Yvonne's expression darkened slightly. "I'm not asking him to wait for me forever. I'll reschedule and make things right with him once Aaron's condition is stable."

Mom scoffed. "Do you think Charlie gives a damn about you making it up to him? He just wants you by his side today!"

Aaron pulled himself up using the back of the bench. His eyes were brimming with tears. "Please don't blame Yvonne for this, Diana. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have tagged along. I'll get out of here this instant, even if it means passing out on the way to the hospital. I don't want to get in their way again…"